Books: A Capital Affair

A Writer Explores the Backroom Deals
That Helped Create 'Washington'

By

Jamin Brophy-Warren

Updated May 3, 2008 12:01 a.m. ET

While millions of tourists visit the American capital to get in touch with history, Fergus M. Bordewich believes that parts of Washington's story are still untold. His new book, "Washington: The Making of the American Capital," portrays a nascent city wracked by fiscal malfeasance and legislated by back-room machinations. Mr. Bordewich also explores the unsung contributions of slaves who did everything from baking bricks for construction to clearing trees for the former pasture's development. "Slavery was embedded in the city's magnificent buildings that now symbolize American democracy," he says....